Thailand seeks to hire Bangladeshi workers

Thailand has expressed interest in hiring workers from Bangladesh, with the two countries expected to sign an agreement on labour recruitment soon.

A Thai delegation conveyed the interest during a courtesy meeting with Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury on Wednesday.

Nitrutti Suthinun, chairman of Thailand’s Senate Standing Committee on Labour, said Thailand currently has labour recruitment agreements with four countries. However, recruitment from Cambodia has been suspended in the construction, halal factory and agricultural sectors amid recent border tensions between the two countries.
As a result, Thailand is interested in signing an agreement with Bangladesh as its fifth labour-sourcing country to address its workforce shortage, he said.

Members of the Thai delegation also raised concerns about workers overstaying their visas, using Thailand as a transit point and risks of human trafficking in connection with the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.

Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury welcomed the Thai proposal and expressed hope that the two countries would be able to resolve the concerns raised by Thailand and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) soon.
He said Bangladesh and Thailand have maintained friendly relations for 54 years and appreciated Thailand’s initiative to open a viable and effective pathway for Bangladeshi workers.

The minister stressed the need for a transparent and worker-friendly recruitment system.
“We want a system where the initial recruitment costs are borne by employers,” he said, adding that employment contracts should be provided in workers’ local language and effective safeguards should ensure their welfare, fair wages, accommodation and medical insurance.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Md Nurul Haque Nur said Thailand needs skilled workers while Bangladesh has a large pool of manpower.

He invited the Thai delegation to recruit skilled Bangladeshi workers through Bangladesh Overseas Employment and Services Ltd (BOESL), the government-run recruitment agency.

Ministry Secretary Md Mokhtar Ahmed said Bangladesh has suitable workers for both blue-collar and white-collar jobs in Thailand.

Considering cultural and climatic similarities, Thailand could be an attractive destination for Bangladeshi workers, he said, stressing the need for transparent recruitment, low migration costs and protection of workers’ rights.
The Thai delegation included Senate Standing Committee on Labour Vice-Chairman Chinachat Sensyang and Labour Working Committee member Dr Pirasith Kunlartaripon.

Additional Secretary Ahmadul Haque and Joint Secretary Debajit Singh, among others, were also present at the meeting.